The Story

Please help us get the lead out of wildlife!

Too many wild birds in the United States suffer or die from lead poisoning every year. Please help us acquire a new blood lead analyzer so that we can determine whether a wild bird patient has lead in its system and needs treatment. Having our own equipment allows us to test more patients, obtain results faster, and begin treatment as soon as possible. With lead poisoning, time can be of the essence.

We need a Magellan LeadCare II analyzer and two (2) test kits to measure lead levels in our patients. Our current lead analyzer is outdated and test strips for it have been discontinued. While we can send blood samples to an outside lab for testing, this process is costly and wastes precious time in beginning treatment. Having an analyzer in-house will ensure that we can continue to test, diagnose, and rapidly treat wild birds with lead poisoning, increasing their odds of flying free again.

If funds are raised over the cost of the Analyzer and two (2) test kits, those funds will be used to purchase additional test kits.

Thanks to a generous donor, donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $1,500. Your gift goes twice as far!

Every year, Tri-State receives wild birds suffering from lead poisoning. Species most commonly affected include bald eagles, hawks, vultures, loons, ducks, geese, and swans. The birds are exposed to lead through ingestion of spent lead shot in the environment, consumption of prey or carrion containing fragments of lead ammunition, or ingestion of fishing sinkers, tackle, and related gear. Any exposure to lead can spell disaster for these vulnerable species.

Since 1976, we have treated and rehabilitated tens of thousands of patients, including many that were brought to us with lead poisoning. Our mission is to achieve excellence in the rehabilitation of injured, orphaned, and oiled native wild birds, with the goal of returning healthy birds to their natural environment. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we are funded primarily through private donations, and we depend on our dedicated league of volunteers to assist in day-to-day wildlife care and education.

Please help us achieve our goal so we can help wild birds fly free again!

Fundraiser Updates

Posted on March 6, 2018

Posted on March 6, 2018

You did it! Thank you for supporting this very important campaign. We can now purchase a lead analyzer to test the lead levels in our patients which will allow us to treat them sooner! We are immensely grateful to each and every one of you for your generosity! Thank you!!!!